Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 February, 2014 - Newcastle - Italian Leonardo Fioravanti again racked up the day's highest score and now holds the top three highest wave scores in the Hunter Business Boardriders Pro Junior at Merewether beach.

Fioravanti waited until the last heat of the day to score a 9.25 (out of a possible 10), Europe's next big thing didn't seem hampered by the difficult conditions showing the rest of the field that he wasn't content with his runner-up finish at the Hurley Australian Open of Surfing Pro Junior earlier in the week. Earlier in the day, Fioravanti lost a fin on the shallow Merewether rock shelf.

"I felt it go but my coach Jake Patterson fixed it and it was ready for the last heat," he said. The man who narrowly beat Fioravanti in the final of the Hurley Pro Junior just a couple of days ago in Sydney won't bother Fioravanti in Newcastle.

Jacob Wilcox (WA) finished last in his heat when he could not find wave, but tomorrow he will contest the Burton Toyota International Trials in an attempt to gain one of four berths on in the ASP 6-Star open division.

The number one seed in this event Soli Bailey from Byron Bay also trailed the other three surfers in his heat and he too will also contest tomorrow's trials after being eliminated from the Pro Junior.

Newcastle locals still in contention include Anna Bay's Kurtis Herman (NSW) and Caves Beach surfer James McMorland (NSW). The duo will come up against each other in the last heat in the round of 32.

Merewether's Jackson Baker was eliminated in the round of 64 after needing a 4.41 to progress during a heat where the surf was affected by the high-tide. Baker and fellow Merewether surfer Jesse Adam are the only local surfers to contest tomorrow's trials for a spot in the ASP 6-Star Burton Toyota Pro.

Other internationals remaining in contention include last year's runner-up Kanoa Igarashi (USA) as well as Dylan Lighfoot (ZAF), Ariihoe Tefaafana, Keoni Yan and Mihimana Braye (PYF) and Andy Criere (France).

Round 2 of the women's Hunter Business Boardriders Pro Junior was completed today and the standout surfers included Bronte Macaulay and the wildcard into next week's ASP 6-Star Hunter Ports Womens Classic Holly Wawn. Action will recommence tomorrow at Merewether beach, Newcastle at 7.30.

The 2014 Surfest Newcastle Australia features the Burton Toyota Pro (Men’s ASP 6-Star) and the Hunter Ports Women’s Classic (Women’s ASP 6-Star), along with eight supporting events. The event is made possible with the support of Burton Toyota, the Hunter Sports Group, Newcastle City Council and the NSW Government through Destination NSW.

Surfest Newcastle Australia commences on January 31 at Stockton beach and concludes at Merewether beach on February 23. Merewether beach is a recognised Australian National Surfing Reserve. Merewether is home to festival patron and Australia’s most accomplished men’s world professional surfing champion, four-time world champion Mark Richards (1979-82) and presents the winner a trophy in his likeness.